Israeli defense officials stress that the current level of preparedness reflects vigilance, not panic.
By Hezy Laing
Israeli security officials are closely examining newly surfaced videos from Yemen that appear to show Houthi fighters rehearsing assaults on mock Israeli communities and military outposts.
The footage, which includes fighters storming structures and simulating attacks on soldiers and civilians, has raised fresh concerns about the group’s intentions and growing boldness.
While some online observers dismissed the clips as propaganda, Israeli intelligence agencies are treating them as a potential indicator of operational ambition.
According to a senior Israeli security source, the drills bear a striking resemblance to the tactics used by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
“The scenarios they’re practicing are not random,” the official noted.
“They reflect a clear effort to study and replicate methods used against Israel in the past.”
The videos have prompted internal discussions within the IDF and intelligence community, leading to a reassessment of long‑term defensive planning for Israel’s southern region, including Eilat.
Defense analysts emphasize that Israel does not currently anticipate a direct ground attack from Yemen. The distance—over 1,600 kilometers—makes such an operation highly unlikely.
However, experts warn that the Houthis’ growing confidence, combined with Iranian backing, means their threats cannot be dismissed.
Dr. Ofer Shelah, a former Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee member, explains that “even symbolic training videos can signal intent, shape regional perception, and serve as psychological warfare.
The Houthis are positioning themselves as a frontline actor in Iran’s regional strategy.”
The Houthis have already demonstrated long‑range capabilities.
Over the past year, they have launched ballistic missiles and explosive drones toward Israel, some reaching as far as Eilat and even the skies near Ben Gurion Airport.
Most were intercepted by Israel’s multilayered air‑defense systems, but the attacks underscored the group’s expanding reach.
Israeli defense officials stress that the current level of preparedness reflects vigilance, not panic.
Still, the emergence of these training videos has sharpened attention on the Houthis’ evolving capabilities and their desire to be seen as a direct participant in the broader conflict against Israel.
